Longtime Coach John Chaplin Awarded Robert Giegengack Award

INDIANAPOLIS — 2000 Olympic Team men’s head coach John Chaplin was honored with the 2013 Robert Giegengack Award Saturday evening at the Jesse Owens Awards Banquet and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

Chaplin first made a name for himself as one of the country’s top coaches, but he was an athlete in the beginning of her career. He was a sprinter in the early 1960s, setting world indoor records in the 220 and 330-yard dashes. His legend began as the head coach at Washington State University from 1968-94, where among other athletes he coached Henry Rono and led the team to an NCAA Indoor title and four runner-up finishes.

He was the 2000 Olympic Team men’s head coach and longtime – and now emeritus – chair of the men’s track & field committee. He has served as a referee on the college, high school and Olympic levels, making a name for himself at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Coach Chaplin is a member of the USTFCCCA Hall of Fame and a revered board member, referee and official.

The Robert Giegengack Award was established in 1982 in recognition of the late Yale University track & field coach's "superior and outstanding contributions to the sport and to the organization as an official, coach, and administrator." It is awarded by the Board of Directors to a person who excels in contributing to the excellence and high standards of the sport of Athletics. The Robert Giegengack Award is USA Track & Field's highest accolade for contributions to Athletics in any category of volunteer work.